In what ways has this course helped
you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
I cannot begin to explain how much this course has helped me
develop my own technology skills. I loved this course because each week the
application involved a new type of technology instead of the usual paper. This
class took me outside of my comfort zone and forced me to become familiar with
an use different kinds of technology that I probably would not have
experimented with if it were not for this class. Although I already knew how to
use a Blog and use it in my classroom, I am so much more comfortable using
Blogs now because of the personal Blog I created for this course. I had
absolutely zero knowledge on how to use or create a Wiki or a Podcast. Now, I
know how to do both! I really feel like I am becoming a 21st century
teacher because I know how to use and implement different types of Web 2.0
resources.
In what ways have you deepened your
knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
Although I think it is common sense, this class really emphasized how much teaching has
changed in the last years and how it has changed greatly in the past decade.
Teachers no longer know everything. In fact, students are coming into the
classroom with more knowledge on certain topics than teachers. But, that does
not mean teachers are going away. Teachers will always be there to provide a
way and an example to students. Although the content/subject specific
information I teach my students is important, this class has made me more
concerned with the life skills/morals I teach my students. It is important for
me to teach my students how to collaborate, how to be competitive, and how to
research. The more technology experiences a student is exposed to, the more comfortable
and knowledge he or she is. The more comfortable and knowledgeable a student is
with technology, the more successful he or she will be.
In what ways have you changed your
perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?
Before this class I was a teacher. A teacher through and
through. I knew what I did in years past and continued to do it. This class
really helped me change my perspective in that I am a teacher but I am also a
facilitator. If I want to be a 21st century teacher and if I really
do want to prepare my students to be successful then I NEED to be a
facilitator. My students know how to use Google, if I give my students a
question to answer, they know enough search engines to find the answer. What I
need to do is facilitate them, teach them which sites are correct and accurate,
teach them how to advance their searches, and teach them how to collaborate
with their peers to be successful.
In what ways can you continue to
expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with
the aim of increasing student achievement?
I believe no one is ever done learning. My knowledge of teaching
and technology will continue to grow, thankfully. However, it will take some
work on my part. Luckily, I am only about half way through with my degree at
Walden University. I plan on expanding my knowledge through my future classes.
I also plan on expanding my knowledge through professional development
opportunities within my school district. I will attend any and all opportunities
of technology-focused conferences offered through our intermediate school
district.
GOALS:
GOAL #1:
Do different things, don’t do
things differently
My goal is use my projector in more
ways than just a new an improved version of an “overhead projector”. In order
to achieve this goal, I hope to use the Apple TVs my school has an sync it with
my iPad and use the projector in that way.
GOAL #2:
Provide a variety of final
assessments.
My goal is to get away from the
original pen and pencil exam. I want to provide a variety of assessments,
especially assessments that utilize technology. In order to achieve this goal,
I hope to attend a conference or workshop that will assist me in this
transition. Another way I plan on achieve this goal is through collaboration
with co-workers that already do this.
Checklist Answers:
To be honest, as of right now, I do
not know if any of my answers from the week 1 check list would be different. I
am a month and a half into the school year and have been following my routine
from years past. However, this class has taught more an incredible amount of
information that I will implement into my classroom that would cause my answers
to change. For example, I now realize the importance of collaboration. I plan
on creating and assigning many more group projects. I plan on taking much more
of a facilitator role instead of a “teacher” role. Finally, I will work to
promote the best practices in technology so that my students have the
opportunity to be successful in the future.
